Stellantis, the owner of Jeep, is recalling more than 1.3 million of its vehicles in the United States because of an electrical problem that carries a risk of fire. The action affects a large number of drivers who own some of the brand's best known off-road models, and who are now being urged to take precautions while a repair is arranged for their vehicles.
According to the company, the recall stems from an electrical issue that could cause the wiring in the affected vehicles to overheat. It is that overheating in the wiring that creates the danger the recall is meant to address, rather than a fault that only appears while the vehicle is being driven under normal conditions on the road.
The most serious concern is that the problem can lead to a fire even when the vehicle is switched off. That means the risk is not limited to the moments when the Jeep is on the move, and owners cannot assume their vehicle is safe simply because it is parked with the engine off and apparently sitting idle.
The recall covers certain Jeep Wranglers and Gladiators built across the 2021 to 2025 model years. Both are among the brand's most popular models, which helps to explain why the total number of vehicles caught up in the action runs to more than 1.3 million across that span of model years in the United States.
Stellantis has said that drivers of the affected models should receive letters early next month explaining what they need to do. Once they have been notified, owners will be able to take their vehicle to a Jeep dealer, where the problem will be fixed at no charge to them as part of the recall programme.
In the meantime, the company has issued clear guidance on how to reduce the danger before the repair is carried out. Owners are being told to park their Jeep outside and away from any buildings, so that if a fire were to break out while the vehicle is unattended, the chance of the flames spreading to a home or another structure is reduced.